Suppression (parish)

Suppression is a Catholic term for the formal disbanding of a parish. It differs from the more common practice of merging parishes. Suppression only occurs when the Church believes the entity of the existing parish cannot continue. This includes cases such as bankruptcy, abuse, or deviations from canonical teachings. In practice the parish is merged into others after a suppression, as the geographic area must by canon law be covered by other parishes.

References

• Michael Trueman and Pete Vere. When Parishes Merge or Close. Catholic Answers Magazine